ELDER SELECTION PROCESS

The Senior Pastor shall be a member and leader of the Pastoral and Elder team.  The Scripture gives evidence of the first elders being appointed by the founders of the church. By this example, it is implied that the existing spiritual leadership of a church be intimately involved in the process of selecting elders, to ensure selection based on spiritual, rather than superficial, qualifications. Beyond this, there are no specific guidelines given regarding the selection process. It would therefore appear that freedom is given to the individual church to develop a process that will best serve its own special needs and situation.

Each year, the current slate of elders shall determine the number of positions to be filled that year because of vacancies or newly created positions on the elder team and shall initiate the following process for selection of new elders:

1. The Pastoral Team and Executive, having carefully reviewed the qualifications and duties of an Assistant Pastor and/or Elder, will be asked to submit the names of members for consideration as elders.

2. The Assistant Pastor and/or Elders shall review the submitted names, identifying those men who appear to have congregational support and the unreserved affirmation of each elder.

3. Individuals who thus far qualify shall be so informed and they shall be urged to engage in self-appraisal and personal evaluation. Any person may withdraw his name at this point if he does not aspire to the position of elder.

4. The Pastoral Team and/or Elders shall conduct interviews with each individual before making a final selection.